1Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680 651, Kerala, India
2Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680 651, Kerala, India
*Corresponding Author: J. Saalom King, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680 651, Kerala, India, Email: saalomking31@gmail.com
Online published on 20 March, 2026.
Vechur cattle, a native breed of Kerala, are known for their low maintenance requirements, disease resistance and adaptability to tropical climates. Fertility, particularly conception rate, is a crucial factor in livestock productivity and is influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors. Non-genetic factors such as management practices, nutrition, health, month and year of breeding play a significant role in reproductive performance. Understanding the impact of these variables is essential for optimizing breeding strategies and improving fertility outcomes. This study aims to analyse the effect of non-genetic factors on the conception rate of Vechur cattle maintained at the Vechur Cattle Conservation Project, Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding, Mannuthy.
A total of 868 breeding records spanning 14 years (2011-2024) were collected and analysed. The data included information on breeding time (forenoon or afternoon), month and year of breeding. The conception rate was calculated as the percentage of successful pregnancies relative to total breeding attempts. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v27, employing logistic regression to assess the influence of categorical variables on conception rate and chi-square tests to determine significant differences across different years, months and breeding conditions. Bulls used for natural service were periodically evaluated for seminal quality and their conception rates were compared to assess variations in male fertility.
The overall conception rate during the study period was 51.40%. Year-wise analysis showed significant variations, with higher conception rates observed in 2012 and 2021, while lower rates were recorded in 2013 and 2024. Monthly analysis revealed that August had a significantly lower conception rate (32.10%) compared to other months. The time of breeding (forenoon vs. afternoon) had no significant effect on conception rate. No significant variation was observed in conception rates across different bulls used for natural service, suggesting consistent seminal quality and fertility across sires. These findings highlight the influence of environmental factors on reproductive performance and emphasize the need to incorporate these variables into breeding and improvement programs for Vechur cattle.
Conception rate, Month and year effects, Natural services
